The Nitefall on the River concert returns Saturday to the Simon Estes Amphitheater. Hairball plays at 8 p.m. Gates open at 7. / Register File Photo

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P.J. Amys of Urbandale prepares spare ribs for team Omaha's Blowing Smoke at the 2012 Smokin' in the Junction. The annual barbecue contest returns Saturday and Sunday to Valley Junction in West Des Moines. / Register File Photo

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1. B.B. King

Friday

Even if you aren’t a blues aficionado, chances are you’ve heard of B.B. King, arguably the King of the Blues. He has been performing for more than 60 years. So make a point to see him perform live at Prairie Meadows in Altoona — opportunities like this don’t come around any too often. Tickets are $44-$84 at www.prairiemeadows.com.

2. Nitefall on the River kicks off

Saturday

The summer music concerts at Simon Estes Amphitheater kick off with a band that’s pretty familiar to Des Moines: Hairball. However, the concert will be held indoors at Wooly's, 504 E. Locust St., due to the chance of rain. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m., Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Day-of tickets can be purchased until 8 p.m. Saturday at www.nitefalldsm.com.

3. Smokin’ in the Junction

Saturday and Sunday

What better way to spend Memorial Day weekend than with some live music and hot barbecue? The fifth annual Smokin’ in the Junction barbecue contest in Valley Junction is one of the biggest competitions of its kind in Iowa, with a whopping $13,000 purse. Food will be available from vendors, and there will be live music, kids’ activities, inflatables, a beer garden and more. The contest is open noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Free admission.

4. Northwest Aquatic Center opens

Saturday through Monday

Celebrate the arrival of summer (or at least summertime temperatures) by taking a dip in one of the Des Moines’ city pools. Northwest Aquatic Center will be open this weekend and next before all the city pools open for the season June 6. Splash pads will also open this weekend at Ashby Park (3200 38th St.), Martin Luther King Park (1650 Garfield Ave.), Pete Crivaro Park (1012 E. 14th St.) and Union Park (725 Thompson Ave.). 1-6:30 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Northwest Aquatic Center, 4915 Madison Ave. $4 ages 21 and over, $2 ages 3-20.

5. Chichaqua Free Skinners

Saturday and Sunday

Curious about what life was like on the frontier of the 1800s? Yes? Well, then you’re in luck. The Chichaqua Free Skinners, a local organization that demonstrates the lifestyles of mountain men — think blacksmithing and leather working — are hosting an event at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt north of Bondurant. Find black powder rifle shoots, bow shoots, tomahawk and knife throws, a “candy cannon” and family and kid activities. $20 to camp. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Find more info at www.angelfire.com/ultra/buckskinning.